U.K. Car Sales Edge Up 2%

Automakers sold 372,800 new cars last month compared with 366,100 units in March 2011, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Sales in March were the highest for any month in two years.

Demand dipped 1% to 165,600 units for fleets and 24% to 17,800 units for business customers. But retail sales to consumers advanced 7% to 189,500 vehicles, SMMT says.

In the first quarter of 2012, British car sales rose nearly 1% to 563,600 units.